The Cruciform Vulnerability of God – The Roles of Christian Congregations in Addressing Human Pains and Sufferings Rev. Dr. Victor Shepherd, ThD, Canadian Presbyterian minister and Emeritus Professor of Theology at the Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Hyon Kim, MD, MTS, MPH, CCFP, Palliative Care Physician, and Global Director of People Development SIM International; W.L. Alan Fung, MD, ScD, FRCPC , Psychiatrist and Chair of Research Ethics Board, North York General Hospital; Faculty Member, University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Program; Research Professor, Tyndale University College,Toronto. Moderator: Alan Fund, MD, ScD, FRCPC

Human existence is inherently vulnerable and therefore prone to suffering. In the wake of such vulnerability and attendant suffering, the church frequently proffers comfort in such notions as a ‘sovereign’ God who is deemed to reassure us through always being ‘in control’. Overlooked here is the fact that to control is to manipulate; such ersatz sovereignty is no different from omni-determinism.

So far from manipulating, God is self-exposed at the cross. The cross means at least that there is no limit to God’s vulnerability; and the resurrection means at least that there is no limit to the effectiveness of God’s vulnerability. Always to be kept in mind is the apostolic witness that the victorious One is raised wounded, and therefore suffers still. While early-day Christians (and the church after them) characteristically look for the Lion of the tribe of Judah, it is the hemorrhaging Lamb who appears.

Consistent with the above, the risen Lord appoints followers to cruciform discipleship. The effectiveness of such discipleship, while not readily recognizable, is nonetheless guaranteed to render visible that Kingdom the King has installed yet which remains disputable.

The apostle Paul was perceptive here: “I have been crucified to the world, and the world to me.” The church in Corinth, discerning not the nature of its Lord’s triumph but instead aping a worldly triumphalism, needed to be corrected. Centuries later Martin Luther, attuned to Paul, saw that Christians live not in themselves but in their neighbor as they share the neighbor’s material insufficiency, suffering, and shame.

The panelists for this multidisciplinary session include a Christian pastor and theology professor with decades of experience providing pastoral care to individuals with mental illness and their families; a Christian palliative care physician who has provided clinical care to many in both the developing and the developed world; and a Christian psychiatrist who has provided clinical care to individuals from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds with wide range of mental health issues and their families, as well as to those coping with significant life adversities including incurable illnesses, chronic pain and various losses. Each panelist will present his/her respective theological and/or clinical perspectives on how the Christian community – including but not limited to Christian congregations – can help address human sufferings associated with multiple dimensions of pain – physical, psychological, social, spiritual and existential. Various examples of collaborations between the Christian community and the health professions in addressing such sufferings that the panelists have been involved with will also be presented. The panelists will also discuss about strategies in mobilizing the Christian community in proactively addressing such human sufferings on a sustainable basis.